Saratoga--John Maurer, who has been a long-term substitute music instructor at Saint Andrew's School in Saratoga since February, was arrested on May 15, for sexually molesting a 9-year-old girl in San Jose.

The young girl was visiting members of Maurer's family and was spending the night at his home on Sessions Drive in south San Jose when the incident occurred. At one point during the night of May 6, Maurer, 37, reportedly approached the girl and sexually molested her.

Within the next several days the girl told members of her family what had happened. They, in turn, reported the incident to the San Jose Police Department.

Officers from the Sexual Assault Investigations Unit immediately began an investigation, which led to Maurer's arrest. Maurer was put in jail with a $50,000 bail and was arraigned May 17.

"We were shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the allegations pending against Mr. Maurer," said Harry McKay, Head of School at Saint Andrew's. "Saint Andrew's is taking these allegations very seriously. As soon as we have more complete information we will be in touch with our parent community. Our first priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our students."

The SJPD is not releasing any information on Maurer's background, except to say that this is the first time Maurer has been charged with a crime in the San Jose area, according to Lt. Eric Sills with the SJPD Sexual Assault Investigations Unit.

Maurer was also recently employed as a substitute music teacher at Saint Steven's Elementary School in San Jose. The San Jose Unified School District employed him as a music teacher from Aug. 1996 to March 1998.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact investigator Eric Dragoo of the SJPD Sexual Assault Investigations Unit at 408.277.4102. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact the Crime Stoppers Program at 408.947.7867
Leigh Ann Maze